|
Hello St. John’s Family,
I need to begin my note by thanking you for all the well-wishes and love that you’ve extended to me for my birthday. From the wonderful surprise on Sunday, to the numerous messages, cards, and notes, I’ve been overwhelmed by the genuine love and care that you’ve extended to me. Thank you for all the fun and creative ways you’ve reminded me that I am now old… and for the love and care you so readily extend to all who walk through our doors.
Birthdays with zeros in them tend to lead us to reflection: to take stock of where we’ve been, what lies ahead, and perhaps most importantly, what it all means. I’d love to tell you that my reflections have yielded deep and profound thoughts about all that… but I’d be lying! For some reason, my mind keeps wandering to the lyrics of an old song by U2, the Irish rock band, that was written after a night when they admittedly had a few too many beverages at a LA establishment:
Six o'clock in the morning, you're the last to hear the warning
You been tryin' to throw your arms around the world.
You been falling off the sidewalk, your lips move but you can't talk
Tryin' to throw your arms around the world.
Sunrise like a nosebleed, your head hurts and you can't breathe
You been tryin' to throw your arms around the world.
How far are you gonna go before you lose your way back home
You been tryin' to throw your arms around the world.
Gonna run to you, run to you, run to you; be still. Gonna run to you, run to you, run to you; woman I will.
These sound like the lyrics of a sappy love song, yet I’ve always been fascinated by them. I don’t know why they’ve been stuck in my head recently, but after reflecting on it, I’ve heard those lyrics sung by a different voice – that of Christ. I’ve heard Christ calling out to me and to us – woman or man – at all the times we chase after, strive for, and pursue the multitude of things in this world that only leave us grasping. To which He says I’m gonna run to you, run to you, run to you… be still.
Slowly – after 50 years – I’m learning that beautiful lesson. Every time I have tried to run after something less than the goodness God intends for me, Christ has run after me, gently leading me back. Always know that Christ is there, doing the same for you.
On a much different – and very exciting note – I have an important announcement to make: the Rev. Megan Berkebile has accepted our offer to serve as the Director of Children’s Ministries at St. John’s! Megan is an Ordained Elder in the UMC, with her membership in the Western PA Conference, and has been serving in extension ministry in our area for the past 3 years. Her primary appointment is serving children and youth as a Behavioral Consultant and Mobile Therapist. Megan has degrees in Christian Education (BA) and Counseling Ministries (MA) and brings a wealth of experience, ideas, and enthusiasm to St. John’s! We’re very thankful God has led Megan here, and are excited to officially welcome her on Sunday, November 5th.
This Sunday, we’ll be blessed as a number of youth and young adults will be participating in our worship services. JT Crockett, our Director of Youth and Family Ministries, will be preaching; check out John 5:1-11 and then join us for a powerful morning of worship.
| 
